If you can buy a cash flowing property, then do that, else house hack and get off the sidelines.

So one evening at about beer-thirty I looked over the shoulder at my friend who like me had this REI itch but always without action and I said "well hell, half those doing it are morons, we can be just as stupid as anyone else, I'm done with this, I am doing it and your gonna help me, done, end of story, if I fail at least it will be in flames of glory instead of sitting the sidelines". 

If you're able to invest when the market get's more competitive, you'll have a huge advantage compared to the investors sitting on the sidelines. 

It's not looking good for rate cuts.

With such low inventory, Investors are hungry for properties and this ain't looking up, unless the rates come DOWN!

There are probably 10 buyers on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to come down that are actually active in the market.

As for the down payment, I would make sure you always have some cash on the side lines for liquidity as lenders will want to see cash amounts outside of credit lines.

Although, waiting on the sidelines in pursuit of the ideal property only worsens your long-term prospects for embarking on your wealth-building journey through real estate.4.)

You first want to identify what kept you on the sidelines and what makes you ready now.

It's best to get started now with something small like a duplex versus sitting on the sidelines for the perfect opportunity to jump in.

My wife and I are on the sidelines because we started a family.